Sunday, June 3, 2007

I've been looking through my old poetry notebooks since I boarded the Poetry Train, and I noticed I had a big spurt of creativity in the summer of 1987. I had been in Toronto for a year by then, getting to know the real me. My best friend had just visited me for a week from Nova Scotia, and we'd done some shopping for her upcoming wedding later that fall.

She gave me a beautiful 'Writer's Notebook', a journal with quotes and lovely Arts and Crafts graphics, plus lots of space to write. And I filled it with poetry.

Here's one from June of 1987. At this point I was a few months away from meeting my husband-to-be.

Awaiting the Unicorn

Let those womenDream of Prince CharmingKneeling beside the bed

I shall wade into the wildernessFor I await the Unicorn

A feathery breath at the shoulderLeaves me with thoughts of ghostsBranches spring back into placeI happen upon his gladeBut carry no swordThe pool of light cascadingThrough the red veil of maple

Twig snapsUnder careless hoofHis face lowers to my lapAn invitation to the arrowMurderers could creepTo his very shoulderReleasing the blue from his neckTill it soaked the flaming bed of quillsOn which we lay

His gaze through the forelock

Who needs chandeliersCrowns or cotilionsWhen deathBloodSurrenderBlue eyesA perfect mouthAwait by the brookIn the wood of the silver-white stallion